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Thorny Saltbush

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Thorny Salt-bush Photos

Scientific Name:Rhagodia spinescens
Photo: Thorny Saltbush
Photograph courtesy of
Viridans Biological Databases (external link)

Other Common Names:

Hedge Saltbush, Berry Saltbush

Status:

Native to inland parts of Australia.

Plant Description:

Perennial shrub, with rigid branches to 1.5 m high, the older branchlets often ending in a spine. Leaves mealy-white or greenish, 5 – 10 mm long, oblong to almost round, sometimes lobed at base, tapering into a conspicuous stalk.

Flowers in
spikes or short panicles. Fruit a deep-red berry, 4-6 mm diameter. Flowering most of the year, but mainly in spring – summer.

Habitat:

A wide range of soils, more frequent on loams and clay loams but also common on heavy clays. Usually in association with other low shrubs, or as an understorey in numerous woodland communities.

Region
Mallee, Loddon MurrayS0, S1, S2, S3, S4W0, W1, W2

Comments:

Foliage can spell of stale fish. A drought tolerant species, sparsely grazed by sheep, unless other feed not available.

Thorny Saltbush photos

Thorny Saltbush branches
Thorny Saltbush branches
Photo: A J Brown
Thorny Saltbush leaves
Thorny Saltbush leaves
Photo: A J Brown

Thorny Saltbush plant
Thorny Saltbush plant
Photo: A J Brown

Developing fruit of Thorny Saltbush
Developing fruit of Thorny Saltbush
Photo: A J Brown

Mature fruit of Thorny Saltbush
Mature fruit of Thorny Saltbush
Photo: A J Brown
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